Polivy

Polivy is a prescription medicine used with other medicines, bendamustine and a rituximab product, to treat diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in adults who have had at least 2 prior therapies. 

Polivy belongs to a group of drugs called CD79b-directed antibody-drug conjugates with activity against dividing B cells. 

Polivy is designed to work differently from traditional chemotherapies because it has the ability to find dividing B cells, including cancerous B cells. Almost all B cells (including cancerous ones) have a marker on their surface called CD79b. Polivy works by finding and attaching to B cells using the CD79b marker before entering the cell and releasing an anti-cancer drug, killing the B cell. Polivy may also harm healthy cells in your body.

This medication comes in an injectable form to be given as an intravenous infusion (directly into the vein) over 90 minutes at a clinic or infusion center.

Common side effects include low blood cell counts, nerve problems and tiredness.